May, Geraldine P. (Geraldine Pratt), 1895-1997

Colonel Geraldine Pratt May (April 21, 1895-November 2, 1997) was the first director of Women in the Air Force (WAF) and the first woman colonel in the United States Air Force. May joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in July of 1942. She was promoted to staff director of WAC's Air Transport Command in March of 1943. In 1948, May became the first director of the newly created Women in the Air Force (WAF) and was promoted to the rank of colonel making her the first woman colonel in the United States Air Force. May received the Legion of Merit for her service during World War II. May died in Menlo Park, California at the age of 102. She is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.